Peshawar School Collapse: 29 killed, including 28 children and a teacher

At least 29 people, including 28 children and a female teacher, were killed after the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar’s Dir Colony on Thursday, according to hospital officials.

Rescue 1122 said the incident occurred on College Road, prompting an immediate emergency response. Rescue workers and other relief teams rushed to the site to pull children and school staff from the rubble.

Mohammad Asim, a spokesperson for Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), said 28 children had been brought to the hospital dead. A female teacher was also pronounced dead on arrival.

He said all the children were aged 13 or younger. The hospital declared an emergency and deployed medical staff to treat the injured, some of whom were reported to be in critical condition.

Hospital administrators were present in the trauma unit as doctors and other medical personnel provided emergency care.

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Pakistan Army personnel also joined rescue workers and other relief agencies. Teams continued searching through the debris and transferring injured victims to hospitals.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and injuries, saying the tragedy had left the nation grieving. He offered condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed the authorities to provide all possible medical assistance to those injured.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi sought a report on the incident and instructed the relevant authorities to determine what caused the collapse.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said he was deeply shocked by the tragedy. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also expressed their condolences.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Adviser for Information Samar Haroon Bilour shared her sorrow over the children’s injuries and expressed solidarity with the affected families. She directed officials to ensure that injured children received timely and appropriate medical treatment.

Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse and establish its cause.